Travel Tips: A backpacker’s Handbook

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Backpackers: What are the most important things/lessons you learned from traveling the world?

Enna Morgan·Updated December 5 Former Faculty at Tsinghua University (清华大学)

Originally Answered: What are the best life lessons you’ve learned from traveling the world?

Pee whenever you see a bathroom, you never know when you will see another one
Almonds are a girl’s (and boy’s) best friend, and is more important than even lipstick (So if you have to make a choice, choose wisely). Regardless of the size of the city you are flying into, never assume that there is a welcome committee waiting for you with a smorgasbord of food…..especially if you are vegetarian.
Always have a bottle of water in your bag, except if you are going through an airport; in Thailand, even the empty bottle seems to be problematic, and size does make a difference!
Hospitals: Life-saving institutions under ordinary circumstances, but death traps when you do not speak the local language.
All over the world people love tourists, until the tourist runs out of money.
Credit cards are your best resources for travel, it saves you the headache of fake currency (especially in Asia), and rescues you from the pickpockets (globally).
Planning on going shopping in China? Here is a valuable bargaining formula: 1/4. Whatever the price you are told, know that you can offer 1/4 and they will still make money off you. One little subtlety though, you have to be prepared to walk away….because that’s when the real bargaining begins!
Around the world, many stores have two price tags: the local price, and the American (UK, Canadian) price. But then some stores reserve the right to have no price tag; it will be adjusted according to your nationality and congeniality.
The rating of tourist destinations is determined by the availability of food, alcohol, and sex (and not necessarily in that order).
Years ago we rated airlines according to their level of comfort, today we rate them by their level of frugality….and we call it economy.
As the earth’s population and the individual’s body size increases, the service and the space in aircrafts decrease at an equal pace, proportionately.
I used to think that a train was a wonderful alternative to air travel, a lovely way to see and experience the country. I have been disabused of that notion. Travel by day, will nauseate you from the unending silos, haystacks, cows and pastures, and the multiple ways that we pollute the earth; night travel will introduce you to the vast spectrum of blackness, and the distant lights of cities that will be impressed upon your mind as just a flash in time. And travel during any time with the less-than-impressive toilets, will….well, let’s just leave that topic for another post. Bottom line, trains are good, but not all groovy!
There was a time, not so long ago, when an airline ticket was an all-inclusive package deal; today your ticket buys you ONLY the right to board the plane (well, even that is litigious, depending on if you are on United Airlines), everything else is non-inclusive: the seat, the food, your luggage, the right to get inebriated, a pillow, a blanket, the space size, the comfort level, and even the view. Very soon we will be taxed on the air quality.
When travelling, anywhere, pack half the crap and twice the money
TIPS: Initially, an abbreviation for, To Improve Promptness, today it means, Taken In Place of Salary. In most places (especially the essential (food and beverage)), tips are not optional, they are either included in the charge, or arduously solicited (Psst! That’s a code phrase for ‘guilt trip”!)
Global travelers should be allowed to hold an international passport card, and allowed to work and reside in every country. Why? We make mortgage payments in the taxes, the foreign surcharge fees, and the special ‘foreigners’ price that we pay as we travel through the country.
Never set your bags in the trunk of a cab, you lose your bargaining tool
Most cab drivers are clueless about the city in which they operate; it seems to be a prerequisite for employment in this occupation. Strangely enough, though, they know all the scenic routes quite well.
All the world knows about GPS, and uses it…..except cab drivers. Hmm!
Red-eye flights are quite economical in the smaller, South Asian countries. But just be sure someone is collecting you at the airport, because if not, then your taxi fare will be perhaps 4 times the cost of your flight, since transportation options will be slim to non-existent.
Hotels and AirBNB owners are more than likely connected with some of the top photo-editors in the country; they can make a shanty-town room look like something out of Architectural Digest.
If you are looking to meet people, and live it up, book a hostel; if you want to experience family life, and embrace the environment, try AirBNB; if your thing is lovely aerial views, fine dining, and a bed and shower, then a hotel is for you; if you yearn for fresh air daily sunshine and sea views, nightly entertainment, and food ad nauseum, a cruise is a-calling; but if you’re looking for a really good night’s sleep, then shut the doors, turn off the phone, and tuck yourself into bed. Stay at home, it is the only guarantee of peace and quiet…..okay, so that may not be accurate if you reside in Southeast Asia!
The best party cruise line is the Carnival Cruise; the best destination line is Holland America Cruise line (they are under the same umbrella company, Carnival Corporation). The best cuisine is in the Caribbean; my favourites being Negril (Jamaica), and Cabarete (The Dominican Republic). And the best experiences you will have in your life, in terms of emotional diversity, taking you from your highest highs to your lowest lows, will be in India.
In Europe you need to check your change; in Asia, you must check the notes; in South America you have to check your pocket; and in general, you should check your attitude, as internationally, there is an undisclosed ‘bitch fee’ that applies to every transaction.
For flights, hotels, and cars, the best deals are online; for everything else, the best deals are made with the person, in the moment, at the location.
Cruisers, know this about bargains: When the boat docks in port, the price tag (of anything) drops dramatically and proportionately, relative to the distance from the cruise boat. Also, the excursions are way cheaper on the shore than on the boat….makes economic sense!
Ferry boats provide a great way to see a city from the inside; except in Indonesia; a ferry boat ride there is a great way to ruin a vacation….or a life, depending on how well you swim!
Curbside check-in is a fantastic invention, and works superbly, globally; except at JFK airport, there they give new meaning to the word “vegetating”!
Rental car companies are in the business of selling insurance, not renting cars. You should know that going into it! Be sure to have your own insurance so that you can check all the ‘decline’ paragraphs on the 10-page contract. FYI: Your credit card covers a portion of rental insurance, check before you check (get it?), or you will be paying twice….or thrice if you’re not too bright.
If you have a connection on an airline, that is one hour or less, and you miss that connection (due to airline delays), the airline is responsible to get you another flight, at no additional cost. If it is an international connection, then it means that customs will be involved, so make sure that there is more than 1.5 hours in-between flights, or you will more than likely miss your connection, and in many cases (transcontinental) there is only one flight daily. And though they are liable (provided that they booked this ticket, and not you), there will be a major tussle for the airline to assume the associated costs, being hotel, meals and transportation.
Checked luggage is not the best place for your valuables, the bag-handlers will steal it; your carry-on is not suitable either, TSA will ‘confiscate’ it; a bank lock-box used to be a viable option, but the government can levy on it; and due to their steady and usurious fee (inflation) a storage facility will incrementally decrease the monetary worth of your valuables. The solution? I’m waiting for one too. So when you find one, market that shit, we are all waiting to buy it!
Do not try to repeat a phenomenal vacation, that is why it is called ‘phenomenal’ – because it is a once in a lifetime experience!
Which brings up the point: Holiday romances are just that – “holiday” romances! They are context-bound, and are designed to work only within those conditions…skinny dipping, romantic sunsets, piña coladas, etc. Don’t expect the romance to transcend reality.
As a global traveler, know that the world economy rests squarely in your able hands, so understand your commitment to, and participation in this delicate ecology. Businesses everywhere understand your love for and commitment to exploring the world, hence the hospitality and service employee’s income is now 20% salary, 20% tip-based, and 60% pilfering. Do your part, live it up so there is not much left in your wallet to steal!
If you are in a foreign country, remember this – you are a foreigner; you are not in control, they are! Adjust your attitude accordingly (oh, wait, did I mention that before? Yeah, well perhaps it needs repeating!), that could determine if you leave the country in an aircraft or a body bag….either way, the locals won’t give one rat’s patootie!

Gee, I hate to leave on such a dour note, so…….buon viaggio!

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Add Comment Megan Cox·March 23, 2018

Gold!

One note: In the US, there are legal minimums between flight legs. If the airline covers it, their ass is covered. They do not have to rebook or accommodate you for free. They may choose to do so, but are not legally obligated to.

I specifically remember the legal minimum at DFW when arriving fr … (more)Upvote·2Reply

Mrinal Bhattacharya·March 15, 2018

Enna, I loved your post. It wasn’t just entertaining, it was completely relevant and true.

Also, I am completely in love with the style of your writing, the way you hid those little humour nuggets with each statement:

“Most hotels are more than likely connected with some of the top photo-editors in th … (more)Upvote·62Reply

Enna Morgan·March 17, 2018

Hi Mrinal, many thanks for reading, and taking the time to express the little things that brought joy and amusement. I really appreciate the detailed note. Hope that one day our travel paths intersect, then we can have a coffee and a good laugh about all our travel tribulations and anecdotes :)Upvote·16Reply

Mrinal BhattacharyaHey Enna, that will super cool. If you ever plan to visit India, feel free to message me…. I will be happy to assist you in curating the itinerary. If time permits… I would love to join you as well… By the way… Coffee and Conversation sounds perfect.Harry Renords·June 25, 2018

That’s true my dearUpvoteReply C.J. Heck·August 13, 2018

Well done! I enjoyed your writing and learned a lot, Enna. Thank you!Upvote·2Reply

Enna Morgan·August 16, 2018

You are most welcome, C.J. Thanks for reading….and for the compliment :)Upvote·1Reply

C.J. HeckIt was well deserved, Enna.Robert Craig·August 17, 2018

I especially like this point:

When travelling, anywhere, pack half the crap and twice the money.

Although this point really only seems to apply to Americans in my experience:

Rental car companies are in the business of selling insurance, not renting cars. You should know that going into it! Be sure to … (more)Upvote·3Reply

Enna Morgan·August 18, 2018

Thanks for the comments and likes, Robert 🙂

About the rental insurance, have you checked into airline credit cards? A lot of cards associated with airline companies (for the sky miles) offer various kinds of insurance and rental insurance.

And yes, that paragraph did apply primarily to car rental age … (more)UpvoteReplyRobert CraigI have not! Thanks for the suggestion. Will look into it.Greg Young·March 6, 2018

“Red-eye flights are great in the smaller, South Asian countries, just be sure someone is collecting you at the airport. If not, then your taxi fare will be perhaps 4 times the cost of your flight since transportation options will be slim to non-existent”

so much this.Upvote·3Reply

View More CommentsView 100+ Other Answers to this QuestionAbout the Author Enna MorganVeteran. X-Legal Advocate. EducatorEditFormer Faculty at Tsinghua University (清华大学)Studied at University of WashingtonLives in Global Village3.9M content views18.9K this monthTop Writer2018Active in 3 Spaces2,653 Followers